Not surprisingly, Samsung's objections are being viewed as simply trying to get the $1 billion patent judgment awarded to Apple thrown out because of a mistrial. However, some lawyers say that getting a case thrown out completely because of juror misconduct is very unusual.

Samsung is arguing that Hogan didn't disclose during jury selection that be had been sued by his former employer, Seagate. Coincidentally or not, Samsung and Seagate have a "substantial strategic relationship," according to CNET. The lawsuit led to Hogan filing for bankruptcy in 1993, and Samsung said he should have told the court. Hogan reportedly said he had been involved in litigation but that the judge didn't ask for a complete list of lawsuits so he didn't see fit to elaborate.

That's strange because Hogan seemed more than happy to speak at length about his involvement in the trial and his engineering and patent prowess helped it swing Apple's way. It's strange that a man so forthcoming wouldn't have brought up that little bit of knowledge.

People are viewing this move by Samsung cynically, but being penalized $1 billion for "stealing" Apple technology will make most people/companies find ways to overturn the verdict. Hogan's involvement may or may not be juror misconduct, but it shows how important investigating or questioning jurors before the trial begins can be.

Meet Foreman in Apple/Samsung Trial

Meet Vel Hogan of San Jose, an inventor and engineer who was also the jury foreman in the much-heralded Apple Samsung billion dollar trial. (Published Friday, Aug 31, 2012)